[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 59 (Monday, May 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LESLIE BURGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 9, 2005

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Leslie Burger, 
who was recently elected president of the American Library Association. 
Ms. Burger will serve for two years, as president-elect from July 2005 
through June 2006, and then will take over as president of the ALA 
until 2007.
  The American Library Association is a Chicago-based organization with 
more than 64,000 members. Established in 1876, the ALA offers 
leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of libraries 
and librarians, to advance learning and guarantee access to information 
for everyone.
  Leslie Burger is well prepared to serve as president of the ALA. She 
received a master's degree in organizational behavior from the 
University of Hartford, and a master's in library science from the 
University of Maryland--College Park, following graduation from 
Southern Connecticut State College. During her already accomplished 
career, she has continually fought to enhance and modernize libraries. 
Through her work at the Library Development Solutions, a firm which she 
founded over 10 years ago she has been a leader in integrating 
technology and developing new programs to keep libraries around the 
country up to date.
  Leslie has been the director of the Princeton Public Library since 
1999 in my district in New Jersey. Leslie was instrumental in securing 
funding for a new library in Princeton which opened over a year ago. 
She is a tireless worker in raising support (and funds) for the new 
building and services for the library. She has spent time working the 
``front line'' of the library, where she works with patrons of all 
ages. She has reached out to underserved individuals by implementing 
new programs such as computer instruction in multiple languages and 
diverse cultural programming. Leslie also served as president of the 
New Jersey Library Association from 2001-2002.
  Leslie has great plans for the future of the ALA. She hopes to 
improve salaries for librarians and other library workers, as well as 
modernize libraries so they are well equipped for the new technologies 
of the 21st century. She plans to fight against proposed library 
closings and cutbacks and extend the Campaign for America's Libraries. 
As president of ALA, she will ensure equal access for all individuals 
to library services and continue to develop diverse educational 
programming for patrons.
  Leslie Berger has worked hard providing important services to 
residents of Central New Jersey. I am sure all my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Leslie Berger on her election as president of the 
American Library Association. I have no doubt that she will continue to 
be a great advocate for libraries and library workers nationwide.

                          ____________________